Ouachita Athletics Hall of Fame
Tommy Patterson, men’s basketball, Class of 1972: Patterson entered Ouachita in the fall of 1966, playing men’s basketball under the leadership of Coach Bill Vining. Patterson started several games as a freshman power forward before joining the U.S. Army the following year where he served three years, including one year of duty in Vietnam. Returning to Ouachita in the fall of 1970, Patterson picked up where he had left off. The next two years, he helped lead the Tigers to a second place AIC finish in 1971 and an AIC championship in 1972.
Averaging 24 points per game and 14 rebounds during his junior year, he was named to the All-AIC Basketball Team both years, He also was named to the NAIA District 17 Team and earned NAIA Second Team All-American honors. He was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets as the 25th pick in the 1972 NBA draft. Patterson, who was honored posthumously, was represented at the induction ceremony by his daughter, Kelana Patterson Meadows.
